The reinstated Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mayodele Olorunfemi, has attributed his loss in the recently concluded gubernatorial election to the actions of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Olorunfemi made this assertion during a post-election interview, where he expressed his disappointment and outlined the challenges he faced leading up to the election.
According to Olorunfemi, the lack of adequate support from Peter Obi, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, as well as interference from the NLC, significantly undermined his campaign efforts. He lamented that these issues contributed to his inability to secure victory in the highly competitive election.
The election saw Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerge as the winner. Aiyedatiwa was declared victorious by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after dominating all 18 local government areas in Ondo State. The APC candidate garnered an overwhelming 366,781 votes, leaving his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), far behind with 117,845 votes.
Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, who served as the Ondo State Returning Officer, officially announced Aiyedatiwa’s victory. He stated, “Ayedatiwa Lucky Orimisan of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby returned elected.” This landslide victory solidified Aiyedatiwa’s position as the governor of Ondo State for another term.
Olorunfemi’s defeat came in the wake of a tumultuous legal battle. Just days before the election, the Court of Appeal reinstated him as the Labour Party candidate, overturning a Federal High Court judgment that had disqualified him from the race. The court ruling also removed Olusola Ebiseni, who was reportedly Peter Obi’s preferred candidate, from the ballot.
In his interview with The Punch, Olorunfemi expressed frustration over what he described as betrayal and sabotage. He accused Peter Obi and the NLC of creating internal party crises that derailed his campaign. “I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election,” Olorunfemi said.
The Labour Party candidate further alleged that the party crisis and attempts to force Ebiseni onto the ballot disrupted his campaign efforts. He explained, “They capitalized on the crisis between the Labour Party and the NLC to create problems. Can you imagine that Ebiseni wrote a letter to the court in my name, without my knowledge, saying I had withdrawn from the race?”
Acknowledging that his chances of winning were significantly diminished after the court’s decision reinstated him just days before the election, Olorunfemi vowed to seek justice. He accused Ebiseni and the NLC of forging his signature and announced his intention to petition the police for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Describing the entire episode as a betrayal, Olorunfemi expressed his determination to take action against those he believed were responsible for sabotaging his campaign. He stated that the Labour Party must address the internal issues that contributed to his defeat if it hopes to remain a viable political force in the future. The LP deputy chairman, South, reiterated his commitment to seeking justice and ensuring accountability within the party.
